More Scrimmage/Practice Notes
Posted on: August 15, 2016
Had the chance to catch up with a couple other people about the scrimmage this past weekend and wanted to pass those along in addition to what we posted Saturday. Some of this latest was really kind of interesting and promising.
– While Ben Powers did at RG for the scrimmage, Alex Dalton did take part on Saturday and is back practicing (albeit with a cast on his hand). One source told TFB that cast obviously makes it harder for him to pass block, but that it seemed clear to this person that Dalton would be the better fit at RG. Admittedly, that is just one person’s opinion but clearly high praise for a kid with a cast on his hand who is also coming back from a knee injury.
– As has now made the rounds, Erick Wren started with the 1’s at center. One source told TFB they felt Wren was more stout, “harder to move” than Jonathan Alvarez but admitted the latter of the two ‘runs better.’
Wren again took first team reps during Monday’s practice, so this is clearly something Bill Bedenbaugh is seriously considering as the team continues to work through fall camp. If Wren, Baker Mayfield, and the o-line as a while start to click, it’s going to be tough for anyone, including Alvarez, to unseat Wren at center.
– The person TFB spoke with said, in their opinion, the best OL group on the day was (from left to right): O.Brown, C.Ford, E.Wren, A.Dalton and D.Samia.
– Was also told the offensive line definitely had a number of good moments on Saturday during the scrimmage. In fact one person said that, at times, the offensive line was only one block from springing big plays. Additionally, there were several times where the pocket survived for a good five seconds. The impression we get is that the coaches are getting close to figuring out who those first five guys.
– Was told the perimeter wide receivers struggled a bit against the defensive backs and at times that led to the quarterback having to hold on to the ball and the protection subsequently breaking down. As you will recall from our notes over the weekend, a number of the wide receivers were out, including Dede Westbrook. Although the good news is that Westbrook returned to practice on Monday.
76 Comments
First!
And with this I don’t feel so nervous about Oline. I hope they can settle on starting five quickly, then burn in the reps so we can turn up the tempo from the get go! #StartFast
Really, really surprising about Alvarez. So Cody has completely displaced him from LG; what about RG? Is he truly being outplayed in all 3 interior line positions after being the most reliable of the interior linemen all last year?
My mind is blown as well ?
I saw in a pic that he had his long hair cut off. Its probably a Samson thingy.
This should have gotten more up votes.
Cody has been the LG along.
Not last year. As in, there’s no chance Alvarez would move back over to his position last year.
I take it as a good sign. If Wren really is solidifying the Center position, OU is well on its way to having some depth on the OL–something Bedenbaugh has coveted, yet hasn’t fully achieved. Alvarez can play the Center & anywhere on the interior.
Alavrez unseated… whoa…
High Competition..
Got to bring your best game each practice or you wont start..
Good timing – saved me having to kvetch about it 🙂 THANKS!
I am surprised that Alvaraez isn’t even playing at G. BUT in Coach B I trust.
Was thinking the same thing. Hopefully this just means the line is that much improved.
I am hoping that same thing or that Alvarez got little too comfortable and coach B is setting him straight. Either way will have a payoff.
Is Alvarez hurt, Or nursing an injury?
Not that I am aware of
So should this tell us how crappy the line was last year or has The light bulb just finally clicked on for Wren and he’s just killing it out there? I just feel Samaje, Joe and Mayfield had to rely a lot on skill rather than being able to do their job.
Might be that Alvarez thought he was being given a starting spot and got too relaxed and a hard working Wren has earned reps.
I’m just wondering if Coach Bill is just sending a message
Once Daimler is back, it sounds like we’ll have a decent second group with Evans, Julious, Powers, Daimler, and the loser of the Wren/Alvarez battle..
Not sold on Daimler. He has slow feet. He looks the part of a tackle but just not sure he is athletic enough to not get exposed by an edge rusher.
Good stuff K!
I like it….you can never relax, if you relax you get replaced. I love the fact that guys are competing and not sitting back because there’s a clear delineation between starters and back-ups. Come in, fight and earn a starting spot. If Alvarez comes back and takes his center spot again, EVEN BETTER, that means he’s gotten better or is taking it more seriously. I think Coach B learned from last year you can’t just start someone because they’re a senior or have game experience. You need the best 5 out there period.
Had a college baseball coach tell us that he’s not going to start the 9 best. He’s going to put out the best 9. I really thought that this was one of the best sayings I had heard from a coach in a while. Makes perfect sense for this years oline.
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Secondary 2s seems like the only battle. And really not much of a battle at Safety (at 2s).
Thanks K! I for one like the idea of rotating out Oline to stay fresh while Perine and Mixon are getting licks in wearing defenses into submission in the second half.
Much appreciated!
Do we have any more info on Kelly spraining his knee?
Should be back by next week.
Thanks for the notes. Glad to hear there were some positives for the offense this weekend.
Thanks K. Sounds like the OL is working on their depth, so it’s good to see Wren stepping up and getting reps and props. This can only be a good thing, especially since Alvarez can play other spots on the line.
Somebody in the know, who are the 3 or 4 receivers (inside and outside) that will be on the field the first offensive play against Houston? I’m asking because I hear different names the majority of the time or is it to early to tell yet?
Andrews, Westbrook & Baxter are virtual locks. And if you can believe what’s coming out of practice, I’d have to be on AD Miller to be that 4th guy right now.
All w/ the caveat of them actually coming out in a 3-4 wide set if we’re being literal as to this applying to the “first offensive play” against Houston 😉
Thanks for the hard work!
I just want the OL to be able to play smash mouth when it counts. Clemson had some studs but OL looked weak and got out worked in the second half. OL must be nastier and not be willing to give an inch, but take a mile. The run game this season will determine OU’s fate. If OU is able to hold the line and open holes consistently, this season is a wrap. 14-0 #8 Perine and Mixon go Pro, Mayfield wins the Heisman, and Bob Stoops wins #9 and #10 and forces ut to cancel the RRR. 🙂
Thanks for the notes!
Thanks, sir !!
Thanks, sir !!
I have no personal tie to any player so I want the best eleven on the field, even if it changes week to week. Competition all season.
100%.
It’s interesting that Alvarez had a good year last year and this year he might not possibly start.
I hope that being good enough last year isn’t good enough this year, that would indicate a much improved line. IMO.
Seeing what KJ posted earlier regarding not taking it as serious as it should be, it’s no wonder that a hard worker could pass him by. Dang, I remember being impressed with Alvarez last year and he and Brown taking Oakman out of the Baylor game. Good luck to Wren and may the better man win.
Absolutely, I just want the nastiest most assignment sound five guys out there. Let the better man win. Competition will make them all better.
Certainly with you that they all needed to get better from last year. I guess he just thought he was going to get handed a spot.
I hope that being good enough last year isn’t good enough this year, that would indicate a much improved line. IMO.
I am wondering if the difference with Alvarez is as simple as OG to C. That is, a Center must know more and be able to make calls, thus the preparation is more extensive and different than preparing to be a Guard. I always think of the Center as being the QB of the OL.
There was about 6 Wrs out on Saturday, so they were pretty limited at that position.
Dam
So Wren and Alvarez went to the same high school and were there at the same time it looks like.
Cant wait for this town hall meeting.
Well after yesterday I was worried about our Oline, but after this I’m worried about our D line. I guess I’m just ready for the good guys to play someone other than their own team mates.
I’m curious what you read that would make you worried about the D-line?
Not really anything. It’s just that when I hear that one side of the line is doing well, I worry about the other. Like in the spring game when the O scores, I worry about OUr defense, and when the defense makes a stop, I worry that OUr O isn’t executing well. The only way I can feel good about OUr guys is when we’re beating the snot out of a good team that’s not wearing crimson and cream.
I see your point but there has to be a winner and loser. Nobody will know anything for sure until Sept 3
I recommend therapy. 🙂 J/K
I’m curious what you read that would make you worried about the D-line?
Cody Ford must be a really good player
I think he and Zeus on that left side will eventually be the nastiest in college football.
I think when it’s all said and done the starting Oline will be Brown, Ford, Wren/Alvarez, Samia, Daimler
I thought Daimler is out and not even practicing?
https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/765332618657210370
How in the world is Kenneth Mann (3rd pic) that lean while weighing in at 270?? Dude has a lot more room for some lean weight. That could be huge in a year for this defense.
Tiffany! We have a nutritionist! She keeps them all pretty slim. I was amazed by how slender the OL look.
Mann will never see the field. He’s friends with some people I know, but his offer is a head scratcher.
So your friends are in the know, then?
Howdyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Hey Metz
Hey Sw
I have had a long day and no tfb I will not ask just watch the town hall.I hope someone asks if wren is real at center
Well that town hall meeting was fun.
Thanks for the town hall, enjoyed it.
Town hall was awesome. Thank you TFB
Man, Dede’s arms have gotten a LOT bigger. He looks to have put on a decent bit of weight since last year.
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I think if Alvarez goes from returning starter/ projected starting center to non-starter this year it will say a lot about Ford and Wren. I would think if it was a close battle Coach B would go with experience so it must but pretty clear cut to Coach B that Ford and Wren are better options if they win the spots of LG aND C respectively. On this I say “In Coach B I Trust!”